Thelo Aasgaard was caught "virtually ignoring" Rangers boss Derek McInnes during the humiliating Conference League exit to Jablonec. The Glasgow giants crashed out of Europe after a penalty shoot-out defeat in Czechia.
Poor Corner Sparks Manager's Fury
The Light Blues took a 1-0 advantage to Czechia from the first leg but turned in a dismal display against Jablonec. Vakhtang Chanturishvili netted to cancel out the aggregate lead, but the hosts, who finished fifth in the Czech league last term, passed up a series of chances to take the game beyond Rangers' reach.
McInnes' men held on for another 30 minutes at the end of the game, before Findlay Curtis and James Penrice missed in the shoot-out to end the club's European campaign in the qualifiers. But Norway international Aasgaard grabbed attention in the final minutes of extra-time.
Playmaker's Reaction Spotted
The playmaker swung a poor corner into the box that trickled out for a throw-in at the opposite end of the pitch. A furious reaction from McInnes was spotted by BBC commentator Alasdair Lamont as the gaffer demanded a final push from his struggling stars: "Derek McInnes [is] urging Thelo Aasgaard to get back in, and he is virtually ignoring his manager."
He then noted the actions of the 24-year-old, who had come off the bench in the 60th minute, replacing Vanja Dragojevic: "Now, he is trotting back into the middle of the park, and Rangers are facing a penalty shoot-out."
Aasgaard's Rangers Struggles
Aasgaard was key in the early days of the Derek McInnes era, having returned early from his post-World Cup break, earning plaudits from the new gaffer. He netted on the opening day draw with Dundee United but has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot at the club since under McInnes.
After the first leg defeat to Jagiellonia in Poland, the forward has been relegated to three appearances off the bench.
